Pneumatic shoe-sole



(No Model.)

A. W. POSTER. PNEUMATIC SHOE SOLE.

NOE-510,504. Patented 360.12, 1893.

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ALBERT WOOLSON FOSTER, OF CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY.

PNEUMATIC SHOE-SOLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 510,504, dated December12, 1893. Application filed May 18, 1893. $erial No. 474,691- (No modeLTo all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT WOOLSON Fos-' TEE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Cape May, in the county of Cape May and State of NewJersey, have invented a new and useful Pneumatic Shoe-Sole, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic shoe soles, and has for its objectto provide a shoe of the character set forth which is peculiarly adaptedfor the use of athletes and pedestrians in running, jumping, cycling,and in the gymnasium, doing away entirely with plates and spikes andprevents slipping and tearing up of the track.

A further object of the improved pneumatic sole is to relieve thedisadvantages of tender feet.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of theconstruction and arrangement of the parts thereof as will be hereinaftermore fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe embodying theimproved sole and shown in inverted position. Fig. 2 is a sectionalelevation of the sole and shoe in proper position. Fig. 3 is a slightmodification in the construction and arrangement of the sole.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral figuresof the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designatesashoe upper ofanypreferred form of construction, style, or material, which, as shown,has directly secured thereto a thin rubber web 2, integrally formed andconnected at. the front and rear and opposite edges with a lower thickcorrugated tread 3 adapted to bear upon the surface of the ground, orelsewhere, and with the web above the same by reason of an interveningspace between the said webs forms an air-cushion, and as shown in Figs.1 and 2, is provided with a heel 4, and at the instep portion of thesole is located a suitable form of inflating valve 5. As shown in Fig.3, the cushion terminates at the rear at about the beginning of thehollow of the instep and adapts the cushion in this form for toe-actionin running or sprinting and wherein the heel does not come into play. Asshown in said Fig. 3 in dotted lines, the outer contacting surface ortread portion 7 of the sole may be provided with a covering of leatheror other suitable material, as at 6, if so desired, but in view of theuseful benefit arising from the employment of the corrugations orsimilar construction on the bottom of the sole to prevent slipping andfalling, it will be understood that the exposed rubber surface ispreferable. The sole illustrated in this figure consists of theaforesaid thickened tread-portion 7, the upper thin web 8, thesurrounding connecting wall 9, and a rear solid heel formed integralwith the web and tread 10. There is also employed a valve 11.

In either of its uses as hereinbefore mentioned, the improved pneumaticsole will provide an easy cushion for the foot, and owing to theposition of the air-chamber therein, burning of the soles of the feetwill be obviated.

The several exercises hereinbefore referred to will be greatlyfacilitated by the use of the sole, and the speed in running orsprinting will be materially increased.

Having described the invention, What is claimed as new is- The shoecomprising the upper and the rubber sole united thereto, said soleextending back to form a heel and consisting of the upper thin web, thelower thickened tread-portion having the intermediate arch or instep,the surrounding intermediate connecting wall between the web and tread,said sole being formed in one piece,

and the inflating valve located in the arch of the thickened tread,substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT WOOISON FOSTER.

Witnesses:

HARRY S. HANSBURY, J. S. ELDREDGE.

